iPhone to get unlimited data "iPlan?"

updated 01:05 pm EDT, Mon June 25, 2007

iPhone Data Plan Leak


The iPhone will launch this week with a special data plan attached to it, according to high-placed source with access to AT&T. The contacts claim that the provider has decided to create a custom plan for the device, known internally as the "iPlan," that will enable all its features without requiring a premium. Current details reportedly call for a price between $35-45 per month that would offer unlimited Internet access over EDGE as well as a minimum of 2,000 SMS messages. The plan may even grow to include unlimited texting, the source says.

Such a plan would be unique compared to those for other smartphones served by AT&T's network. Its closest equal would be AT&T's PDA Personal Max plan, which is intended for high-end smartphones and typically precludes the use of Wi-Fi without a more expensive plan. Other service options are also more specialized and include plans for BlackBerry messaging or PC data cards.

Differences in calling plans, if any, have yet to be revealed.

Also mentioned separately is word of added security for FedEx shipments of the iPhone to retail stores. The express delivery company is said to be pre-assigning drivers and will require that they ship the iPhone in teams, preventing theft either by drivers or by outsiders. The 6PM timing of the retail launch is similarly a deliberate maneuver to control the flow of phones by making the final leg of the shipment in the afternoon and prevent AT&T stores from selling the phone prematurely, according to the report. [via BGR]


By Electronista Staff

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  1. apple4ever

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Jan 2001

    0

    Wow

    If that's true, that would be awesome. I was fearing a way more expensive plan, but at that price, its worth it. That would mean the cheapest a phone&data plan would be around $90 with (retarded) fees and taxes included. Not bad, not bad at all.


  1. cmoney

    Mac Enthusiast

    Joined: Sep 2000

    0

    plan makes sense

    I got a call a week ago that they changed the unlimited PDA plan for my Blackjack to include (IIRC) 1500 SMS messages and that I'd be saving $5/month since SMS is now included with the data plan.

    Sounds like AT&T is bringing it inline with the iPlan.

    AT&T does have a Smartphone plan though that has unlimited data for like $20/month. I wonder why the iPhone plan wouldn't be priced similarly.


  1. Elektrix

    Dedicated MacNNer

    Joined: Sep 2001

    0

    awesome, if true

    As others have said, this is awesome if true.

    Most of the full featured smartphones AT&T sells (Treos, etc.) require the PDA data plan, which is like an extra $40 by itself. I think some of the more limited ones (the Windows Mobile-based ones without touchscreens, etc.) might have that $20 data plan, but I'm not sure.

    Normally the $20 unlimited data plan is only available to regular phones.

    If the iPhone does get a plan that is only like $35-45 for unlimited data plus good minutes and SMS's, it is awesome. over the life of the 2 year contract, that would be a savings of $960 compared to the $40 voice + $40 data plan you'd normally have to get.... and even a savings of $480 over the course of a 2 year contract compared to a $60 a month plan. That definitely would make up for the cost of the iPhone itself.


  1. bigmig

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Jan 2004

    0

    uh...

    elektrix, I think the "unlimited" plan refers to data and texting, not voice. $35-40/mo for data + voice would be untenable (esp since AT&T is supposedly giving Apple a cut of the revenue). They'd go out of business.


  1. grovberg

    Dedicated MacNNer

    Joined: Aug 2000

    0

    $20 plan exists...

    ...but you have to ask the right person. There's a $20 unlimited data plan with 200 text messages (it's a MediaNET plan) that you CAN get added to any phone (PDA phones included), but you have to ask the right person. Three different reps said no at first, but on the fourth try they set me right up and it's worked perfectly since then.

    The $20 plan is a bit slower and things like images get extra compression. You also can't tether to a laptop and you don't get an externally accessible IP. Works well for me though.


  1. testudo

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Aug 2001

    0

    IF true

    Yeah, its all nice IF true. But how could not one trust someone who's a "high-placed source with access to AT&T."

    Then again, if its such a great plan, why in the world are they keeping quiet with it? Announcing it as early as possible would be the best way to ensure mass hysteria.


  1. Elektrix

    Dedicated MacNNer

    Joined: Sep 2001

    0

    guess so.....

    Yeah, I misread it - sounds like this is just the data plan itself, separate from the voiceplan.

    I don't see what would be special about this plan then - it basically costs as much as the $40 a month PDA Connect plan (the only thing perhaps being the bundled text messaging).


  1. Elektrix

    Dedicated MacNNer

    Joined: Sep 2001

    0

    testudo

    On the other hand, why keep it secret if it is just the same $40 or so a month plan as they've always had. There's nothing remarkable about it.


  1. suhail

    Senior User

    Joined: Nov 1999

    0

    good deal

    $60 would still be a good deal.


  1. drole.homme

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Jun 2007

    0

    this sucks

    I've been waiting since January (and saving too). If they make me pay $40+voice (about 80-90 each month) NO WAY!! Sorry but to go from $45 a month now to nearly $100 is wayyy out of my budget. Goodbye iPhone, I'll miss you ~tear~... Just a thought, why does data in a phone cost twice as much as the internet for a house? mmm...


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